Fires shot skyward throughout Qila City; the rout of the army had left the city utterly defenseless. The streets were choked with streams of people fleeing for their lives!
Everyone was scrambling toward the gates! Yes, across the Demon Sealing Continent, the brutality and bloodlust of the Blood Wolves were known to all. With the gates breached and the army scattered, what awaited them was certain to be an indiscriminate, inhumane massacre.
But it was all too late. The Blood Wolf Knights, their eyes turned crimson, along with their accursed Blood Wolves, seemed utterly maddened. Every living thing that moved was relentlessly torn to shreds!
Before dawn broke, silence had settled over the city—a dead, chilling silence. Scattered everywhere were mangled limbs and broken bodies. The dense stench of blood hung thick in the air, seemingly congealed, transforming the entirety of Qila City into a city of gore. Though I had anticipated this outcome, seeing it firsthand stunned me into silence. The unarmed civilians—the elderly, women, and children—were ripped apart, often before they could even scream.
A searing, scraping pain shot through my gut, my stomach contracting involuntarily. Yet, I knew this was the cruel reality of the Marfa World: the strong devour the weak. If the Demon Dragon Empire were ever to fall, perhaps the same fate would greet them.
The only thing I could do was turn my face away, refusing to look at those collapsing in agony. Perhaps they were innocent, but at this moment, I could not afford such consideration! At least, in my mind, my hands remained clean of their blood, for it was the Blood Wolf Legion that acted, not I. This strange, ostrich-like denial offered the only balm to my tormented conscience!
Forgive me! If anyone must be blamed, blame your Empress—she should never have taken Shenyin and Shenxu captive!
Of course, this was the very purpose of my journey to the Demon Sealing Continent. The first step was complete, and more deaths were inevitable. Though my heart recoiled, cold logic dictated that this was necessary. I had to learn to face it, to accept it!
What followed was an orgy of plunder. Countless treasures, grain, and meat were loaded onto carts by the cartload and hauled away. Perhaps pillaging was routine for them; everyone had clear, meticulous roles. Shops, private residences, warehouses, cellars—every possible hiding place for wealth and provisions was scoured clean, as if by a filter.
In the past, the massacre would have ended here. But today, they remembered to light the fires! Yes, anything they couldn't carry away was to be incinerated!
I knew then that Qila City was utterly finished!
Soon, the entire city became a raging inferno. Scorching heat and thick smoke instantly enveloped the surroundings. The Blood Wolf Legion, having completed their scavenging, rapidly retreated from the city limits. Even thirty miles away from Qila City, the horizon remained a vivid, fiery red!
The victorious Blood Wolf Knights roared in triumphant celebration. Perhaps this victory had been awaited for far too long; for fifty years, the Blood Wolf Tribe had teetered on the brink of annihilation. Finally, they had a chance to rise, to vent their fury. How many times over the last five decades had the Blood Wolf Tribe suffered similar horrors?
Only at this moment did a truth dawn upon me: in a Marfa World where the powerful dictate the rules, there is no inherent good or evil, no right or wrong—only differences in standing.
A sliver of silvery-white light began to show on the horizon; it was the hour of dawn! The night of raiding and pillaging had not caused the Wolf Riders any fatigue; on the contrary, they were spirited, high-spirited, and utterly charged!
This operation yielded immense gains, not only capturing two Cloaks of the God of Magic but also seizing vast quantities of other equipment. The Blood Wolf Knights wasted no time equipping themselves with the spoils.
Their old gear, worn and tattered from fifty years of use, was finally replaced. Everyone beamed with joy as they donned their new armor.
Chilong’s shadowed eyes flashed with terrifying sharpness: “Your Highness, are you interested in taking three cities in a single day?”
“I desire nothing more.” I had witnessed the brutal fighting style of the Blood Wolf Legion and fully expected them not to waste this golden opportunity to expand their gains. Everyone understood that this victory was entirely due to catching Qila City completely off guard! While I assumed the Demon Dragon Royal Family had surely received news of Qila City’s fall and dispatched warnings across the lands—after all, the Continent possessed Sound Transmission across a Thousand Miles—it was a rare luxury for a Ranger, but essential communication for major legions and garrison troops.
Of course, I was confident that even if the Royal Family had the news, they could not reach us in a short time. It would take at least half a month for the Royal City’s elite legions or the Celestial Demon Warriors to arrive here!
This meant we had a window of half a month within Qila Province to do as we pleased! How could Chilong possibly pass up such an opportunity!
Furthermore, before setting out, they had conducted a thorough investigation of the troop strengths in the major cities. Both Zeng City and Bai City were defended by the Ninth and Sixth Brigades of the Azure Serpent Legion, and their strongest generals were likewise a pair of Sky Rainbow God Mages! This filled everyone with confidence!
Including me!
However, I also knew that after the battle for Qila City, ambushing the Sky Rainbow God Mages would not be so easy; they would certainly be on guard against me now!
Even so, we possessed sufficient confidence to seize Zeng City and Bai City!
In Chilong’s plan, capturing Zeng and Bai cities was analyzed to be even simpler than Qila City. Based on his experience, the Sky Rainbow God Mages defending those two cities would never dare face me head-on. And since neither major city was garrisoned by Celestial Demon Warriors or Celestial Venerable Daoists, they wouldn't even have a chance to fight back!
All they could do was retreat, evacuate Zeng City and Bai City! Whether they could successfully move the populace would depend on their own capabilities.
Naturally, we would not allow them the chance to retreat in an orderly fashion!
“Hooooowl! Next stop, Bai City.” Chilong lightly patted the massive wolf beneath him and let out a heaven-shaking howl!
Hooooowl! Countless scarlet giant wolves howled in unison!
Immediately! The crimson cloud surged onward, rolling toward the distant horizon at an astonishing speed!
The Imperial Palace! Phoenix Harmony Hall!
The vast hall was steeped in a suffocating silence! Moruo Yinsha, seated on the high phoenix throne, clutched a battle report already crumpled into a tight ball, her expression utterly bleak.
In the hall, Moruo Yinfeng and Moruo Aotian, commanders of the two legions guarding the Royal City, along with Moruo Yintao, responsible for the Palace guard, stood by, faces grim.
A report had just arrived via carrier pigeon!
Nine Luminaries Divine Truth, allied with the Blood Wolf Legion, massacred Qila City. Two Cloaks of the God of Magic and a set of God-Body Armor were seized from the Azure Serpent Legion garrison in Qila City; the entire garrison was wiped out, and no resident was spared. Qila City has been burned to ruins!....................
“A fine motto: Burn it all, kill them all, steal it all!” It seemed to hiss out between clenched teeth. Moruo Yinfeng and the others had never seen the Empress so enraged!
“Your Majesty, quickly send orders to the various regions to prepare,” Moruo Yinfeng hurriedly advised.
“Dispatch orders to all local garrisons: converge on the nearest city garrisoned by Celestial Demon Warriors.” Moruo Yinsha, though furious, quickly regained her composure: “Command the Azure Serpent Legion to intercept the Blood Wolf Legion with full force; we absolutely cannot allow the Blood Wolves to rampage unchecked.”
“Yes!” A nearby messenger quickly strode from the hall.
“Your Majesty, the Blood Wolf Legion has newly acquired two Cloaks of the God of Magic. This will inevitably add two more Sky Rainbow God Mages. Coupled with Nine Luminaries Divine Truth, the current strength of the Blood Wolf Legion cannot be underestimated. The combat power of the Azure Serpent Legion may struggle to cope,” Moruo Yinfeng stated respectfully.
“Indeed.” Moruo Aotian, standing nearby, still felt the lingering terror, yet the gloom on his face and the barely suppressed murderous aura showed that he wished nothing more than to tear that damned monster to shreds right now: “While the Azure Serpent Legion might not suffer losses in a direct confrontation with the current Blood Wolf Legion, Nine Luminaries Divine Truth is ruthless, and Chilong is cunning and treacherous. They will never clash head-on with the Azure Serpent Legion; they will only continue to raid cities wildly. I believe the Azure Serpent Legion alone cannot deal with the Blood Wolf Legion.”
“What do you two ministers suggest?” Moruo Yinsha looked toward Moruo Aotian and Moruo Yinfeng, seeming to grasp their meaning.
“I request permission to lead the Aotian Legion to Qila Province, to surround and annihilate the Blood Wolf Legion and intercept Nine Luminaries Divine Truth,” Moruo Aotian declared resolutely.
“Your subject mentioned it himself,” Moruo Yinsha replied. “Given Chilong’s methods, he will never engage you head-on. How do you propose to corner the Blood Wolf Legion?”
“The Blood Wolf Legion’s reliance is merely on Nine Luminaries Divine Truth. As long as my Aotian Legion’s Celestial Demon Warriors latch onto him and pursue relentlessly, no matter how great his skill, he will struggle to maneuver,” Moruo Aotian stated firmly.
“Does my subject truly have the certainty to kill Nine Luminaries Divine Truth?” Moruo Yinsha’s expression sharpened.
“I have clashed with this person directly before and am intimately familiar with his martial style. This time, I will not fail again,” Moruo Aotian ground out through clenched teeth. “Ever since the Battle of Yung City, the Aotian Legion has meticulously studied the fighting style of Nine Luminaries Divine Truth, even conducting countless simulated execution drills for this very purpose, all to seek revenge someday. I never thought such an opportunity would arise again. Yet, Nine Luminaries Divine Truth has appeared on the Demon Sealing Continent! How could my Aotian Legion pass up such a once-in-a-lifetime chance!”
“Your request is granted.” Moruo Yinsha spoke with gravity. “I hereby command Moruo Aotian to lead the Aotian Legion and depart immediately to encircle the Blood Wolf Legion. You must kill Nine Luminaries Divine Truth, no matter the cost.”
“This subject accepts the command.” Moruo Aotian, overjoyed, accepted and left.
Only Moruo Yinsha, Moruo Yinfeng, and Moruo Yintao remained in the hall.
“Will the Aotian Legion’s mission succeed?” Moruo Yinsha turned to Moruo Yinfeng.
“This humble servant believes the odds are fifty-fifty,” Moruo Yinfeng replied respectfully.
“Fifty-fifty?” Moruo Yinsha’s expression shifted slightly. “Does my subject believe the Aotian Legion might fail?”
“Marshal Aotian may understand Nine Luminaries Divine Truth’s martial arts, but he may not understand his methods of operation,” Moruo Yinfeng stated seriously. “Nine Luminaries Divine Truth is highly skilled in evasion and escape techniques; I fear Marshal Aotian will have difficulty finding an opportunity to engage him.”
“It seems my subject has put considerable effort into studying Nine Luminaries Divine Truth,” Moruo Yinsha remarked lightly.
“If this person is not eliminated,” Moruo Yinfeng stated solemnly, “he will surely undermine the foundation of our Demon Sealing in the future.”
“How could I not realize that,” Moruo Yinsha continued. “The brief six words—‘Burn it all, kill them all, steal it all’—are dripping with killing intent, showing a willingness to use any means to achieve his ends. More worrying is that he has allied with the Blood Wolf Tribe. No one can predict what they will do next.”
“Your Majesty need not worry,” interjected Moruo Yintao, the Sky Rainbow God Mage responsible for guarding the Palace. “Nine Luminaries Divine Truth’s incursion into the Demon Sealing Continent is solely to rescue Nine Luminaries Shenyin and Shenxu. We can use those two as bait to set a trap, and we can certainly slay him then.”
“I fear Nine Luminaries Divine Truth will not fall for it easily,” Moruo Yinfeng cautioned.
“That is not certain,” Moruo Yintao countered. “We can arrange for the Prince to marry Nine Luminaries Shenyin ahead of time. Once this news is publicized across the realm, even if Nine Luminaries Divine Truth knows it is a trap, he will have no choice but to jump in.”
“That is an idea,” Moruo Yinsha revealed a sly smile. “That girl has a fiercely determined spirit. I didn’t wish to use force, but now I can’t afford to hesitate.”
“……” Moruo Yinfeng didn’t know what to say. He had to admit that Moruo Yintao’s plan, while simple, might actually succeed.
In truth, Moruo Yinfeng understood Nine Luminaries Divine Truth far better than Moruo Aotian or Moruo Yinsha. While the outside world whispered of his ruthlessness, Moruo Yinfeng’s own sister, Mo Ling, had spent time with Nine Luminaries Divine Truth and concluded he was not purely cruel but intensely loyal to those he cared for. This was evident when, as a Ranger, he single-handedly challenged the White Tiger Alliance to rescue Lu Tong, and later risked entering the Sacred Domain with Lu Tong and Jian Li to help them.
Moruot Yintao’s plan clearly struck at Nine Luminaries Divine Truth’s weakness. The chance of success was quite high.
But an instinct, one that had long persisted, gave Moruo Yinfeng a sense of unease. Though he had no proof, he never doubted his intuition.
That intuition warned: Do not enrage Nine Luminaries Divine Truth; the consequences could be unforeseeable. While the current Nine Luminaries Divine Truth was undoubtedly enraged, Shenyin and Shenxu were unharmed, meaning his ultimate red line had not yet been crossed. But if Moruo Yintao’s plan were enacted, all would be beyond recovery.
Yet, looking at Moruo Yintao, who believed he had succeeded, and Moruo Yinsha, whose face was dark with resolve, Moruo Yinfeng could only swallow the words that rose in his throat.
May it be that I have overestimated you—Nine Luminaries Divine Truth!
Bai City! Urgent bugles wailed across the sky! Three long, three short blasts! Rapid and continuous! It was the evacuation signal for the entire city! Magic cavalry galloped back and forth through the streets, their rough voices bellowing: “Everyone evacuate immediately, everyone evacuate immediately!”
“Hurry up, go, go!”
“The Demon Dragon Crown Prince, Nine Luminaries Divine Truth, and the Blood Wolf Legion are about to arrive! Everyone flee toward Luo City!” The dispatching magic cavalry were frantic, seemingly trying to deafen everyone with their shouts.
“It’s that demon, Nine Luminaries Divine Truth!”
“Qila City has been massacred!”
“Heavens! How could this happen?”
“Is there no one who can stop him?”
“How can they stop him? In Qila Province, without Celestial Demon Warriors or Celestial Venerable Daoists, even having many Sky Rainbow God Mages isn't enough to stop him from killing!”
“Why did this damned demon appear in Qila Province?”
“Isn't it because the Blazing Flame Legion stole his sister and brother?”
News of Qila City’s massacre spread instantly via Sound Transmission across a Thousand Miles to the Royal Family, and then onward to Zeng City, Bai City, and other cities across the Demon Sealing Continent!
Every city that received the news was gripped by panic. To avoid being caught in the crossfire, the various City Lords began organizing the populace to flee.
Watching the endless stream of people pouring out of the city gates, Teng Jun, the general guarding Bai City, sighed helplessly.
Nine Luminaries Divine Truth! In this entire realm, only you can force the Sky Rainbow God Mages to flee in terror. But if you dare march on Luo City, you will absolutely never return!
“All troops, prepare to march toward Luo City,” Deputy Teng Xiao roared, glancing at the crestfallen Teng Jun. Teng Xiao offered a wry smile. This Bai City, he thought, would probably be reduced to ruins before long.
Burn it all, steal it all, kill them all! Blood Wolf Legion and Nine Luminaries Divine Truth—they are truly merciless!